SINGAPORE: A police officer who accepted bribes, then fled Singapore for nearly 17 years before he was caught in China, was jailed for nine years on Monday (May 26).
Apart from his jail term, Koh Kian Tiong, who also goes by Mark Koh, was also fined S$1,000 and ordered to pay a penalty of S$47,700 by District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan.
Koh, 52, was an Assistant Superintendent with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) when he accepted bribes from an operator of illegal gambling dens between 2006 and 2007.
Before he could be caught, Koh went to China and was only repatriated to Singapore last year after he committed offences there.
The Singaporean earlier pleaded guilty to five out of 15 charges of corruption, and one charge of desertion. He admitted to the remaining charges, which were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Koh joined the SPF in 1998. At the time of the offences, he was an Officer Commanding with the Anti-Unlicensed Money Lending Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In 2005, he was introduced to Mr Chua Chin Hoe, who went by "Ah Hoe". Mr Chua was notorious for operating several illegal gambling dens across Singapore.
Facing financial difficulties due to divorce proceedings and credit card bills, Koh approached a colleague to ask Mr Chua for money. Mr Chua agreed to give Koh money in the hopes of cultivating Koh, who was a senior police officer.
Mr Chua gave Koh money on a number of occasions from 2006. The prosecution said Koh allowed himself to be cultivated as he needed the money to pay for expenses which were beyond his means.
That year, Mr Chua and Koh frequented bars and KTV lounges where the former would always pay for drinks and occasionally, tips to hostesses and singers.
Eventually, Koh invited other CID officers to join these sessions, and Mr Chua would continue paying for the drinks. He introduced Mr Chua to at least five other CID officers, who received free entertainment and alcohol.
In total, Koh received S$47,700 in gratification.
In return, Mr Chua received information from Koh about gambling dens that may be subject to police action, among other help.
Koh travelled to Shanghai on Jul 9, 2007 while on leave. While there, he learned about the investigations against him and decided not to return, deserting his job as a police officer.
He remained there until he was arrested and jailed over offences which were not disclosed in court documents.
Upon his release, Koh was repatriated to Singapore and arrested at Changi Airport on Apr 28, 2024.
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Apart from his jail term, Koh Kian Tiong, who also goes by Mark Koh, was also fined S$1,000 and ordered to pay a penalty of S$47,700 by District Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan.
Koh, 52, was an Assistant Superintendent with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) when he accepted bribes from an operator of illegal gambling dens between 2006 and 2007.
Before he could be caught, Koh went to China and was only repatriated to Singapore last year after he committed offences there.
The Singaporean earlier pleaded guilty to five out of 15 charges of corruption, and one charge of desertion. He admitted to the remaining charges, which were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
GRAFT OFFENCES
Koh joined the SPF in 1998. At the time of the offences, he was an Officer Commanding with the Anti-Unlicensed Money Lending Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In 2005, he was introduced to Mr Chua Chin Hoe, who went by "Ah Hoe". Mr Chua was notorious for operating several illegal gambling dens across Singapore.
Facing financial difficulties due to divorce proceedings and credit card bills, Koh approached a colleague to ask Mr Chua for money. Mr Chua agreed to give Koh money in the hopes of cultivating Koh, who was a senior police officer.
Mr Chua gave Koh money on a number of occasions from 2006. The prosecution said Koh allowed himself to be cultivated as he needed the money to pay for expenses which were beyond his means.
That year, Mr Chua and Koh frequented bars and KTV lounges where the former would always pay for drinks and occasionally, tips to hostesses and singers.
Eventually, Koh invited other CID officers to join these sessions, and Mr Chua would continue paying for the drinks. He introduced Mr Chua to at least five other CID officers, who received free entertainment and alcohol.
In total, Koh received S$47,700 in gratification.
In return, Mr Chua received information from Koh about gambling dens that may be subject to police action, among other help.
Koh travelled to Shanghai on Jul 9, 2007 while on leave. While there, he learned about the investigations against him and decided not to return, deserting his job as a police officer.
He remained there until he was arrested and jailed over offences which were not disclosed in court documents.
Upon his release, Koh was repatriated to Singapore and arrested at Changi Airport on Apr 28, 2024.
Continue reading...